Many People Have A Fear Of Aging; These Helpers Ask: What If We Aged With Joy Instead?

“What if instead of seeing aging as something to defeat and conquer, we were to embrace what gets better with age, and work to amplify these joys while mitigating the losses of youth?”

Many older individuals feel a greater sense of freedom with age, inviting them to chase their truest selves, and leave the unimportant angst behind. In a culture where angst seems to prevail, and young people face uncertain futures, aging with joy is a radical act of humanity. And the conversation is changing to reflect this.

The fear of aging is an ironic (and very Western) concern, seeing as aging and dying are the only things all humans have in common. In many cultures, old age is an irreverent status, as elders offer invaluable wisdom and acumen.

TikTok has become a place for middle-aged and older women to share their aging journeys joyfully. Amelia Crook (@misplacedstyle) has launched a startup after reclaiming her style (and gray hair). @StyleLikeU, a platform dedicated to the self-acceptance revolution, ran a campaign on Defying Ageism. They interviewed beloved style icon Stacy London (y... See more

Aging joyfully isn’t a new concept, nor is it a marketing scheme; it’s just a trend in human nature. According to a 2011 Gallup survey, people’s sense of well-being was the highest in childhood and old age.

There’s something about not playing small in a world that always makes you feel that way, that is an act of bravery and beauty like no other.”

Another research-backed practice? “Awe walks,” an intentional way of turning a traditional stroll into one that shifts your attention outward, rather than inward. For example, instead of thinking about that strained relationship, you’re focusing on the colorful leaves you walked past.

The joy of aging isn’t about abandoning our youth, it’s about balancing learned wisdom with childlike wonder, grounded confidence with conscious curiosity, and innate depth with delicious delight.

Older bodies and faces are increasingly devalued, as people associate age with decreased health, regeneration, or energy. Sure, aging indeed comes with natural health considerations, but the lack of value or appreciation for aging is a byproduct of a culture enamored with youth.